Spanish and Portuguese languages share many similarities, as they both originate from Latin and developed in the same Iberian peninsular region. Despite these similarities, there are still some differences between the two languages. In this article, we will focus on the differences between Castilian, the dominant language spoken in Spain, and Portuguese.
Key Takeaways
- Spanish has more ancient Arabic language influences, while Portuguese has more French influence
- The “f” sound in ancient Latin roots still remains in Portuguese words, while it has been replaced by “h” sound in Spanish language
- Differences between the two languages can be found in spellings, grammar, and pronunciation
Spanish language has absorbed the influence of the ancient Arabic language called Mozarabic, and many words with Mozarabic roots can be found in the Spanish language. Spanish pronunciation appears to be similar to that of the Italian language.
On the other hand, Portuguese language has many words of African origin, reflecting the association of the Portuguese with African slaves. The Arabic influence on Portuguese is not as pronounced, and any Mozarabic influence has been replaced with Latin roots. In its developmental stage, Portuguese was influenced more by the French language, and this influence can still be seen in the form of French words in Portuguese. The pronunciation of Portuguese words seems to resemble that of French words.
In conclusion, while Spanish and Portuguese share many similarities, there are still differences in terms of pronunciation, grammar, and spelling. Spanish has a stronger Arabic influence, while Portuguese has a stronger French influence.
